Peanuts, bagged and stacked in pyramid-like structures, await transport in Kano, Northern Region, Nigeria.

Circa: 1955
Photo Credit: Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images

The groundnut pyramids stood as monumental symbols of Nigeria’s agricultural wealth in the mid-20th century. Built from thousands of groundnut sacks, they rose higher than surrounding buildings and became both an economic landmark and a tourist attraction.

By the 1950s, Nigeria produced 41% of West Africa’s groundnuts, with Kano at the heart of the trade. Farmers either sold to local agents or carried their produce directly to Kano, where the marketing board fixed prices. From there, produce was transported by rail to the port of Lagos for export.

Production peaked at over 1.6 million tonnes by 1973, but later declined sharply to less than 0.7 million tonnes by the mid-1980s.

The collapse of organized marketing boards, coupled with farmers’ shift to other crops (cowpea, millet, sorghum), marked the decline of the pyramid era.

Industries dependent on groundnut oil and by-products also suffered, with many closing or adapting to alternative raw materials.

Today, the once-famous pyramids are remembered as relics of Nigeria’s agricultural golden age, with the lingering question: can the pyramids be revived?

Source: asirimagazine

Peanuts, bagged and ready for transport, are stacked in pyramids at Kano, Northern Region, Nigeria, 1955. (Photo byPictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

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Nigeria faces the threat of nationwide blackouts as gas companies reduce their supply to power plants due to an outstanding N5.6 trillion debt owed to power generation companies.

The development has raised concerns about the stability of the national grid and the country’s ability to sustain its electricity supply.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Dr Joy Ogaji, confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday. She warned that the situation, if not urgently addressed, could push Nigeria deeper into darkness.

This warning came shortly after another national grid collapse threw the entire country into blackout earlier in the week. Although partial restoration has since brought back about 4,000 megawatts, many plants are still operating below capacity.

Ogaji explained that while GenCos remain committed to supporting the country, the liquidity crisis in the sector has spiralled out of control. She disclosed that from January to August 2025 alone, an additional N1.6tn debt had accumulated, bringing the total outstanding to N5.6tn.

She recalled that President Bola Tinubu had met with the GenCos on July 25 to discuss an estimated N4 trillion debt owed to them, covering legacy debts and unpaid invoices. At the meeting, Tinubu appealed for patience while the government completed the verification and validation of the claims. He also approved, in principle, a N4tn bond programme to address the liquidity gap in the sector.

“Almost two months after that meeting, there has been no follow-up engagement with the GenCos on how these debts will be settled,” Ogaji lamented.

She explained that about 60 per cent of GenCos’ revenues go to gas producers, meaning that the debt burden directly undermines gas supply. With suppliers already reducing deliveries, she warned, the electricity market could soon grind to a halt.

Ogaji stressed that despite the patriotic commitment of operators to keep the lights on, factors outside their control make it nearly impossible to sustain generation. She listed gas supply, maintenance of machines, procurement of spare parts, and obligations to other creditors as key challenges.

“Gas suppliers have already started reducing supply. There are critical maintenance works on our machines, spares to purchase, and other creditors who are no longer willing to wait for payments. They now prioritise those who pay them promptly,” she stated.

According to her, the prevailing market structure is incompatible with Nigeria’s growth ambitions. “No substantial private sector investment will flow into this sector unless urgent reforms are implemented. Only the Federal Government, in collaboration with NBET and NERC, can unlock these challenges,” she said.

The APGC boss revealed that GenCos’ monthly invoices average N270bn, but only about N70bn is paid, leaving N200bn outstanding every month. She faulted the 2025 federal budget, which earmarked N900bn for the power sector without cash backing, calling it grossly inadequate.

She also expressed concerns over the Federal Government’s plan to issue promissory notes to settle the debts. According to her, the details of such instruments remain unclear, raising apprehension among investors.

“Promissory notes and bond proposals go to the root of our contractual agreements in the market. We must understand the terms, conditions, and risks before committing,” she said.

Ogaji highlighted the risks of such instruments, including interest rate exposure, foreign exchange volatility, credit risk, and liquidity risk. She noted that promissory notes cannot be repurchased in the open market, which creates refinancing risks at maturity.

“GenCos will not make concessions that undermine our obligations to other creditors. Any breach of contractual terms by the government has a ripple effect on our finances and relationships with bankers and other partners,” she warned.

Ogaji urged the Federal Government, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Debt Management Office, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc to urgently engage GenCos on viable solutions. She questioned whether the proposed promissory notes would be exclusive to GenCos or open to other government contractors, which could dilute the chances of settlement for power producers.

“GenCos remain patriotic investors, but patriotism alone cannot run power plants. Without urgent action, Nigeria risks another round of prolonged blackouts,” she said.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, were unsuccessful, as his spokesman, Bolaji Tunji, did not respond to calls or messages.

Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed some recovery on the national grid, with power generation climbing to nearly 4,000 megawatts by Thursday. However, several power plants are yet to resume full output, underscoring the fragility of the system.

Industry stakeholders say that unless the Federal Government swiftly addresses the liquidity crisis and debt overhang, Nigeria’s electricity sector may face deeper collapse, with dire consequences for homes, businesses, and the overall economy.

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The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of sponsoring division within its Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch, resisting workers’ rights to unionisation, and deploying what it described as “falsehoods” to undermine the union.

NUPENG also accused the company of using a “Greek gift” of free nationwide petroleum delivery to undermine the union and stifle competition.

In a statement signed by its National Executive President, Williams Akporeha, and the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, on Friday, the union dismissed a press release by the Dangote Group on Thursday as “an epitome of unconscionable capitalist falsehood aimed at hoodwinking Nigerians and crushing NUPENG.”

On Thursday, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery dismissed recent allegations made by the NUPENG that it banned tanker drivers from joining the union, insisting that claims of anti-labour practices, monopolistic behaviour, and planned fuel price hikes are “entirely unfounded”.

NUPENG, on Monday, shut down depots, protesting that the Dangote refinery did not allow the newly recruited drivers for its 4,000 compressed natural gas-powered trucks to join the union.

The shutdown of depots lasted till Tuesday, when it was suspended following an agreement reached by both parties at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

However, on Thursday, NUPENG said Dangote was not ready to abide by the terms of the agreement.

But in a statement made available to our correspondent by the spokesman for the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, the company stated that the allegations that it was undermining union activities and threatening workers’ welfare through its new deployment of CNG-powered trucks were not true.